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Newsletter

Let the Flu Go Around You

Keeping Your Immune System Strong

Basically, your immune system works spectacularly well, provided you take care of yourself. Good health perpetuates good health.

And, yes, you're allowed to binge here and there. Most effective food plans have one "free day" each week when you can eat all the ice cream, pizza, french fries, and soda you want.

If you've been exercising regularly for a while, you can miss some time without losing your base. In other words, you don't have to be perfect.

Your immune system functions at peak performance when you

Drink plenty of water - six to eight glasses each day

Eat several servings of fruits and vegetables each day

Take vitamin/mineral supplements to fill in the gaps in an urban diet

Get sufficient sleep - on average, seven to eight hours each night

Exercise regularly - five days per week, at least 30 minutes each day

Meditate and/or engage in quiet time regularly to center yourself and let go of the day's stresses

Since mid-Fall TV commercials have been trumpeting the horrors of the "flu season". "It's never too soon to begin fighting this year's bug" they blare. Public health announcements urge us to get our "yearly flu shot", as if this is something we've got permanently scheduled in our Blackberries. All the leading over-the-counter pain medications offer special seasonal "flu" mixtures, and their ads deluge daytime and prime-time broadcasting.

For the health consumer, namely us, it seems as if this annual "war on the flu" is received wisdom. We're just defenseless human beings at the mercy of the all-powerful flu virus.

What's wrong with this picture?

What's never mentioned in the "flu warning" marketing is the versatility and adaptability of our remarkable immune system. We're the lucky owners of a built-in state-of-the-art biowarfare system, on-the-job 24/7 to combat microscopic foreign invaders of our health and well-being. Once our immune system has detected a foreign protein it mounts an immediate defense, attacking and destroying the alien molecules. And, the memory of that particular invader is permanent, enabling a future immune response to be swift and effective.1

The big issue with influenza is that new strains appear each year. We've never encountered these germs before. But, the whole basis and strength of our immune system is flexibility. It is specially designed to respond quickly to new attackers. And, for the most part, it does this very, very well.

Of course, no one wants their dinner companion to sneeze in their plate of pasta, as Elaine did on an infamous episode of "Seinfeld". Through a typical cascade of unfortunate events, Jerry's and George's comedy pilot was almost scuttled because the network executive was Elaine's date, and he got violently ill by being on the receiving end of her blast of micro-bugs.

In the real world, our immune systems can be weakened due to life habits, circumstances, and stress. Stress is a notorious compromiser of immune defenses.2 And, of course, being human, there's plenty of stress from dawn to dusk. If worry and anxiety pile on top of not-enough-sleep or sub-optimal nutrition, getting sick is a pretty likely outcome. So, developing and maintaining healthy habits of living and successful strategies for managing stress is really the key.3

If you do the simple things that keep you healthy and well, in the winter months you can pretty much "let the flu go around you". You can be confident, knowing you've done the work to fight off the latest flu threat. Someone else's germs are their germs, not yours. If your immune system is on the job, you're far less likely to "catch" something.

And, even if you do succumb, you've got a much better chance of getting well again quickly.

1Sompayrac L: How the Immune System Works, 2nd ed. Blackwell, 2002.
2Wein H:Stress and disease - new perspectives. NIH Word on Health, October 2000.
3The Truth About Your Immune System - What You Need To Know. Harvard Health Publications, 2007.

Many people have heard of chiropractors. If you have never had chiropractic care, you can probably relate to many of the common myths.

1. Getting an adjustment hurts

While some people call chiropractors “bonecrushers”, this is just a myth. Many people experience great relief after receiving an adjustment. Children and some adults are sometimes nervous when it comes to receiving an adjustment, but there is nothing to be concerned about. A chiropractor understands the skeletal and muscular system in a way that allows them to find the source of problems and make adjustments to correct and alleviate a pain center.

2. Once I start, I’ll be going forever

This isn’t true. In fact, many patients with an acute issue come in for a few visits and obtain the relief they needed. Others find that ongoing care increases their vitality and well-being and choose to continue chiropractic adjustments. At Strain Chiropractic you will never be subject to pressure for return visits, the frequency of your care is always up to you.

3. It’s expensive

When compared to most visits to the doctor’s office, chiropractic care is actually less expensive. Considering long-term treatment plans that can involve medication, surgery, or intensive physical therapy, chiropractic care can often provide a less expensive, natural, healthy alternative. Strain Chiropractic files and accepts most forms of insurance.

4. Chiropractors are not real doctors

There is a common misconception that chiropractors are less qualified and under educated than medical doctors. Chiropractors attend 4 years of undergraduate school and go on to receive their doctorate after another 4 to 5 years of studies. They must also pass State and National board certifications to become licensed.

5. It’s only for adults

Many children, including infants and toddlers can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. Some studies reveal a 80-90% reduction in colic with 1 treatment.

6. Chiropractic care is dangerous

When it comes to your back or neck, chiropractic care is far safer than surgery or pain killers. Many doctors recommend seeing a chiropractor before deciding on an extensive surgical procedure.

Education

The following chart compares hours of training in specific areas between Doctors of Chiropractic and Medical Doctors.